BOOK
REVIEW
Discussion Paper Series No. MFS 98/1 on Draught Animal Power in Mountain
Agriculture: A study of perspectives and issues in the Central Himalayas,
India is written by Dr. Vir Singh, Associate Professor, GB Pant University
of Agriculture & Technology, UP, India. As the name indicates this
book covers an interesting and least explored issue of the Himalayan agriculture.
The work is presented into 10 chapters describing status, various issues,
synthesis of factors, and conclusions. This book provides useful data and
some methods to deal with the use of animal power in mountain agriculture,
and takes you to a pathway for further in depth research in this aspect
where still much has to be explored. . Study is based on the villages studied
(total 12 in number) to represent diverse agricultural patterns in different
landforms viz., Shivalik, Middle Himalaya (traditional and transformed),
and Greater Himalaya, however, diversity exists in each broad class. Conclusion
are largely based on the studied villages while some of the common observations
of other persons differ from the average situation depicted from the results
of this study. A quite well review of literature from the region has been
covered, however, few recent ones of the similar nature have been over
looked, particularly on landform (tarai, bhabar and mountains) level
comparisons for different farming systems. In all an interesting publication
of Mountain Farming System division of ICIMOD, Nepal which is useful for
researchers as well as to understand the mechanism and role of animals
in the mountain agriculture for beginners. In depth future research can
be built on this document on the topic and related issues.
Dr. Subrat Sharma
This page is part of ENVIS Bulletin vol 7
no. 2. In case you have any questions contact: Scientist
In-charge, Environmental Information System on Himalayan Ecology, G.B.Pant
Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora
263 643, Uttaranchal, India.